Dual Accidents: Survivor's Fate Turns Tragic

A man, attempting to move his disabled vehicle from an accident, loses his life in a second accident.Photo byMy Rusk County

At 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, Rusk County 911 Center received a call about a two-vehicle accidnt on Hwy. 8 near Townline Road, west of Ladysmith.

Emergency services responded to the scene.

It was discovered that a 2019 Chevy Tahoe, which was driven by Gregory Davis, 59, Ladysmith, was traveling westbound on Hwy. 8. While slowing down to make a right-hand turn, a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by Kai Rasmussen, 35, Bruce, hit Davis' vehicle from behind.

After the crash, the car driven by Rasmussen was disabled in the road with no working tail lights. He and his passenger, Robert Merta, 18, Ladysmith, attempted to push the vehicle off the road. Another westbound vehicle, a 2017 Ford Escape driven by Mark Western, 62, Cameron, crashed into them. Rasmussen sustained fatal injuries due to the second crash.

Responding agencies included Rusk County Sheriff's Office, Ladysmith Fire Department, Ladysmith Police Department, Rusk County Ambulance Service, the Rusk County Medical Examiner, and Life Link III.

The crash was reconstructed by the Wisconsin State Patrol - Traffic Reconstruction Unit.

The crash is under investigation by the Rusk County Sheriff's Office.

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